This Year I... (a list)

This Year I have reached my goals!
Here's a run down of what I have achieved and what I'm planning for next year.

This Year I …

• lost 6.5 kg! 
• met the best version of myself.
• developed a habit of regular Bible reading and memorisation.
• gave up soft drink.
• found an exercise program that actually works for me! 
• planned meals and started cooking again.
• learned new card making techniques.
• relaxed.
• FINALLY moved my craft room - I need to set it up better and add a few things here and there, but I can create in there and it's wonderful. 
• updated my wardrobe.
• moved forward.
• taught new subjects and survived.
• stood up for myself.
• adapted to new situations.
• supported other people. 
• rested.
• set goals and achieved them. 
• connected with my family.
• shared my story with my church... I needed to do that and I can't believe I hadn't done that before. 
• made new friends. 

Next Year I plan to:

• set up my craft room, workspace, reading nook and fitness space, 
• find a name for my new multi-purpose space that doesn't sound like it's part of a school. 
• spend more time with my friends.
• find ways to serve my church more and follow through. 
• apply for new jobs.
• have fun. 
• create every week. 
• exercise every week.
• eat good food.
• lose weight.
• be the best version of myself by taking care of myself. 

That's that then

See you in the New Year!

Almost the End of the Year

Wow, the last week went quickly.  
Visiting relatives, attending church, volunteering, more church services, wrapping gifts, cleaning, Christmas Eve traditions, the BFF's Birthday and Christmas celebrations, opening gifts and family fun have kept me busy! I almost forgot to write and post today.  

I've really been enjoying hanging out at home with my mum.  Don't tell her that.  

Our Christmas Day was wonderful. I woke up early, (thanks to Shelly) and went for a walk around the neighbourhood. It was nice to be outside and have a chat with God as I walked along.  I to the end of my street and smiled as I heard children calling out to their parents, or squealing with delight as they opened their presents. I also did a lap of the park.  It was quiet there. When I got home, I woke up my Mum so we could have breakfast together and exchange gifts.  Then we got dressed and headed off to church.  It was so nice to see my Church family and worship together with them on Christmas day.  There were several years when I didn't get the chance to do that and I really appreciate it when I can.  Mum and I had lunch at the local Football club, which was delicious.  We drove along the beach and then spent the afternoon watching Christmas movies and playing board games.  We both managed to fit in a nap too. It was low key and absolutely perfect for me.

While there are a few things I would have liked to do, I did everything I needed to do. 

Today, we will have a "Christmas Lunch" gathering at my sister's house and exchange gifts with my nieces and nephews.  I am excited to spend the day with them, eating, playing games and just enjoying each other.  That's what family gatherings should be about, in my opinion. 

What are you doing during this crazy week between Christmas and New Year? Working? Sleeping? Reflecting? Planning? Looking for a Calendar? Let me know in the comments. 

Merry Everything

This is Christmas?

So, this is Christmas

We all look around at his time of year for something magical.  Unless of course we are a mother or wife or self-appointed elf; then we are too busy trying to create something magical. 

In 2016, I determined to make Christmas extra special because I knew it would be the last one my father would spend with us.  I was right, of course, because he died only a few weeks after Christmas.  He didn’t want to miss out on the presents! I ask you, what do you buy a dying man?  No, really, I’m asking. I cannot for the life of me remember what I gave him.  I decorated the house, wrapped presents, made a scavenger hunt for the kids and helped put together an elaborate table setting with my mother.  All the while, caring for my dying father.  I don’t know how I managed to buy and wrap all those presents, either. 

In 2017, I was also determined to make Christmas special, because it was the first one without Dad.  I made sure to decorate, I helped Mum gather table centres and settings to take to my sister’s house.  I got hydrated and went Christmas shopping, then I came home and wrapped everything.  I bought gifts for everyone including the pets.  Especially, Shelly!

Oh no- I just remembered a pair of cats who I forgot to buy gifts for!  ☹ I usually make their gifts.  I’m not sure I have it in me this year. 

In 2017, I was hell bent on creating new traditions and I worked at making the holiday meaningful, Christ-centred, spent with family and fun.  I tried my level best to make it easier for me and my mum to not just survive it but enjoy it.  I did okay.   

This year, I am tired.  I want Christmas to be practical and pretty.  I want Christmas to be meaningful, on a whole new level.  I don’t want to waste money on junk or items that no one really needs.  I am also a little bit sad.  In a way, doing Christmas without Dad is harder this year.  I don’t know why.  My sister doesn’t want us to buy ‘crap’ for Christmas.  Those were her actual words.  Yes, thank you, I buy crap for my nieces and nephews.  That’s what you think of all the gifts I have purchased over the years for them.  Don’t get me started on my sister. 

This year, I have gone Christmas shopping and bought a few small items for my nieces.  I am giving money to my older nephews and nieces as per their requests.  I bought a few things for myself and told my Mum she can wrap one of them and put it under the tree if she likes.  I am giving my mother an experience – sounds scary, doesn’t it.  I decided it was time to start another new tradition.  I will tell you more about that, a little closer to Christmas.

What’s that you say?  It’s only 4 days until Christmas.  Wait, what? 3 days until Christmas?! No, it can’t be!

Um, I gotta go.

Christmas Love

More Christmas Cards

I love making cards and I love trying out new techniques to see how I can stretch my supplies.  If I can do that, I don't need to buy as many products.  Nice! So, I couldn't put away my Christmas stamps, dies, embossing folders or ink colours, before making a few more cards, just for fun.  

I want to start by showing you two cards.  I used the same embossing folder but changed up the ink that I used.  I love both cards and  I will definitely be doing this again. I watch a video by Jennifer McGuire where she used ink in embossing folders and ran them through a die cutting machine.  I followed her instructions to make this card.  

I'm not sure if I didn't roll it through enough times, or if I didn't use the right ink.  I used CP's Grass Skirt ink and maybe it has a different formulation to the inks that Jennifer recommended.  If you have read my card posts before, you will know that I LOVE Catherine Pooler inks and stamps so I'm not saying anything negative about her inks.  I'm just saying that this technique is maybe better suited to other inks. I still love the look of this card and I will be sending it to a friend.  

While falling down a You Tube rabbit hole, I stumbled upon a video by May May Made It (she's so down to earth and so much fun).  She demonstrated a similar technique where you use the embossing folder and run it through your die cutting machine first, then drag the ink pads over the embossed card stock.  I figured I would give it a try.  Here's what I made.  

The same embossing folder from Kaisercraft, 

but I used Cottage Ivy from Memento Inks.

Video from May May (click to see the video). 

I absolutely adore the look of this technique!  It's so lovely.  I can't wait to try this technique with all of my other embossing folders.  Stay tuned for that in the New Year. 

This card was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest - click here to see the original. 

Images are from the Spot On stamp set by Catherine Pooler

Sentiment stamp from a set by Kaisercraft

Ink Colours are Grass Skirt and Rockin' Red by Catherine Pooler

This set of cards was created using just two stamps! Both stamps were part of FREE sets that came with a Stamping Magazine.  I'm sorry, I don't remember which ones they came with.  I glued my card panels onto some red card bases I had in my stash.

I used Memento inks on these cards

Rhubarb Stalk and Cottage Ivy. 

Just in case you're wondering, I used Versafine Black Onyx pigment ink for most of the sentiments on the cards in this blog post.  

Lastly, I made this card in less than 10 minutes! I used the left over stars from my bulk Christmas card set.  I swiped my Paris Dusk Ink (by Memento) across a card panel to make my night sky and stamped a sentiment in the bottom left corner.  Then I used some multi-medium matte glue to stick on my stars.  I smooshed some of my ink on to my craft mat and sprayed some water on it. Then I flicked it onto my card panel and base.  Before gluing the card panel onto the base, I used a silver gel pen to put some tiny polka dot stars all over the background.  Then, I stamped a sentiment inside my card. Done! :) 

It was quick, easy and fun. I love those cards.  Gluing on the stars was probably the step that took the longest.  Now, I have to work out who will receive this card from me.  

That's that then! 
May visions of sugarplums dance in your head. 

Christmas Cards - Batch Card Making

Cards and Tags are still popular at Christmas Time. Some card makers start making their Christmas cards in July.  I am not one of those card makers! Some make 20 or 30 or even 50 of the same card then send them on out.  Some card makers like to make five or six of each design and make several different designs.  The easiest way to make lots of Christmas cards is to buy a pad of patterned paper, cut and stick.  Choose a simple sentiment and go for it.  

If you are searching for some Christmas Card inspiration, you might want to check out these videos... they certainly helped me work out what to do. 

Catherine Pooler's KISS Christmas Card 1
KISS Christmas Card 2 

Mass Producing Cards (with Jennifer McGuire)

Last year, I got a bunch of Christmas stamps and a few dies and just made a few cards as I felt the need.  I think I ended up making about 10 or 12 cards.  However, as it got closer to Christmas and I got better at pulling together Christmas cards, my mother started thinking of people to whom she wanted to send cards.  This meant that  I would put away all my Christmas stamps and then have to pull them all out again.  The struggle was real! 

This year, I decided that I would design one or two simple Christmas cards that would be easy to mass produce.  I told my mother that I was making 20 cards this year and if we ran out, she would have to use some cheap packet cards we bought at the discount store a few years ago.  I am not making last minute cards.  You ready to see the magic? 

The winning design for my bulk set of cards. 

The key to making so many cards, efficiently is to plan out the card (and even make one- just one). I made three different cards and showed my Mum and a few of my crafty friends.  Between us, we decided on the best design.  I then wrote a list of all the steps needed to make that card.  I listed all the measurements of card stock and all the materials and tools I would need.  I got out a box and put everything I would need into the box.  I tidied up my craft space so there wasn't anything in my way.
  

Time to start creating.  I cut all my cardstock.... enough for 25 cards - just in case I messed up.  I created a mask and started ink blending all my Christmas Trees- I did 20 card panels like this.  When I finished ink blending each panel, I brushed some Perfect Pearls pigment powder over the triangle, before removing the mask and going to the next panel.

I used post-it tape to mask off a triangle just 

off-centre.  I used the squares on the tape to 

make sure the triangle was straight. 

As you can see, I used Lime Rickey and Grass Skirt inks 

from Catherine Pooler Designs to make the tree shapes.  

Next, I stamped the sentiments on the front.  Using my stamping tool made this so easy and quick.  I used Rockin' Red ink from Catherine Pooler to stamp my sentiments (which were from Kaisercraft). Next was more ink blending around the border.  Then, time to emboss all the panels using an embossing folder - 20 card panels, one after another = tired elbows.  Before putting away the Cuttlebug, I die cut 40 little stars.  Actually, to tell you the truth, I asked my Mum to do the die cutting and embossing.  Considering that she will use most of the cards, she was happy to help.  Then I stamped sentiments on the inside of the cards.  Finally, they were ready to assemble.

Embellishing these cards was the most fun part! You can add sequins, twine or washi tape on the card to go behind the card panel.  Use glitter, enamel dots, Nuvo Drops, glossy accents or whatever you have.  I simply stuck my stars onto the top of each tree.  I played with placement of sequins on a few cards, but in the end I decided I liked them without the extra stuff.

So much for my tidy workspace! Lol. 

Mum loves these cards and so do I!  It's hard for us to find a design that we both like so much.

Just to be on the "safe side", I made a few other cards.  I wanted to try some designs that I saw on Pinterest and I wanted to try out some techniques that I was sure would look gorgeous with Christmas supplies.  There will be a bonus post for you in a few days, showing you the other cards I made.  Here's a sneak peek.

Have a Crafty Day

Christmas Party BINGO!!

We all have to attend at least one! It might be with family, or work mates, neighbours or, if you're really lucky, friends.  Some of us love these social gatherings!  Some of us, would rather be in our PJ's, eating gingerbread or popcorn or chocolate while you watch Die Hard.  If this is you, I have a great game you can play, with your friends (even if they aren't at the party) and inject a bit of fun into the holiday festivities.

It's Christmas Party BINGO!

Click save as on the image above for your own copy OR you can create your own.  It was really easy.  Just create a 5x5 table in Word (landscape orientation) and fill in the squares with events, objects, names or other things holiday related.  Here are some variations of playing this game.
1. Everyone gets a bingo board and the first to tick off 5 in a row (in any direction) wins.
2. Write a date and time in each square so you know who really did see grandparents first!
3. For the square to count, a player needs to send a photo/ video to all the other players.
4. If bragging rights aren't enough to motivate your mates, have everyone donate something to a prize pool.
5. Mix it up by requiring 5 squares that aren't touching or the FREE square has to be included.  You could make it 4 in a row or the whole board.
6. Play like tic-tac-toe.  You play on the same board so opponents can block you from earning the square if they get it first.
7. Play it with a friend and just laugh!

Christmas can be a difficult and tiring time for many people. It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, so if you're dreading the thought, go on - right click.  Choose some relatively harmless silliness.

It's completely fat free... you don't have to eat the gingerbread!  It doesn't have to cost you a cent.

Next Week: Check out how I make a batch of Homemade Christmas Cards.

…. and to all a goodnight!